Lacquer Boxes

About a year ago, I was super inspired by this image of lacquer boxes in bold colors with sharp black borders.


The price tag was in the hundreds for these boxes though (I think from Vivre or Plantation Home?), so I went the DIY route with some basic wood pieces from IKEA.

I gave them all of the boxes two coats of turquoise craft paint.


Then I taped off the edges and painted in the black borders.


Then I spray painted everything with lacquer (though, if I was doing it now I would use my favorite Wipe-On Poly in gloss).



I don't think I'm tricking any visitors into thinking that I spent hundreds of dollars on these boxes in my office, but I like them!

on

56 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    Love them!

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  2. Stereos and SoufflesOctober 9, 2009 at 8:46 AM

    There is something very eye catching about lacquer boxes, I should give this a whirl.

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  3. Pine Tree HomeOctober 9, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    I think they are stunning- who knew Ikea.

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  4. caseyOctober 9, 2009 at 9:31 AM

    I think they look like a million bucks. :-)

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  5. EmOctober 9, 2009 at 9:51 AM

    I get the feeling that the dropcloth is a permanent fixture in your yard.

    I keep swearing that as soon as I graduate from apartment living and have a yard or basement of my own I will be just the same.

    The husband rolls his eyes.

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  6. LindsBOctober 9, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    I love this idea, I was going to do something almost like this. Now I think I need to do it more like yours, I love them!

    One question, did the boxes come with the silver label holders on them already? If not, how did you attach them?

    Thanks!

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  7. High-Heeled Foot in the doorOctober 9, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    Love this Jenny. It's totally a project I was also thinking of doing. I adore those orange boxes from Plantation, but with that price tag a big no way for me as well.

    Love have yours came out. I will be going the same route as well!

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  8. Kelly RobsonOctober 9, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    Ok, I must copy you on this one... I LOVE this idea. You are so creative, Jenny.

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  9. Mrs. KeddyOctober 9, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    This is such a great idea...and on a budget too! I've got some great boxes from a thrift store that have never looked quite right. I'm going to try this out! Thanks for the great idea :o)

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  10. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    You should send this to ikeahacker.blogspot.com.

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  11. Katie DarlingOctober 9, 2009 at 10:49 AM

    You are a genius. I am always amazed!

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  12. Emily CallOctober 9, 2009 at 10:57 AM

    wow, those are so pretty.

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  13. Sarah La RoseOctober 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM

    Great job!! I love them. You have definitely inspired me to do something similar to put on my ottoman. Thanks! Have a great weekend.

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  14. Kasey at Thrifty Little BlogOctober 9, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    I love the extra detail! You'll definitely trick visitors into thinking you bought them somewhere other than IKEA.

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  15. AbbieOctober 9, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    I'm so glad you posted this because I was eyeing them in your office makeover post. I actually DID think they were those original lacquer boxes and am excited to hear they were DIY. I should have known better!

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  16. Maria JohnsOctober 9, 2009 at 12:04 PM

    these look so great and you certainly tricked my eye, thanks for the how-to as well. You are the DIY master, girl!

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  17. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    These look awesome!

    I was thinking about buying colored hanging file boxes, but you've inspired me to do it myself! Now I just have to find the boxes...

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  18. Sarah @ Dream In DomesticOctober 9, 2009 at 12:42 PM

    They look great! And who would want to admit to paying hundreds for those anyway? Not me...people would think I was nuts. It think they're prettier colors anyway!

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  19. SarahOctober 9, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    I love them, thank you for posting. I love that color. Dreamy.

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  20. paulaOctober 9, 2009 at 1:34 PM

    looks fabulous. I may need a few for myself now.

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  21. BarbieOctober 9, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    Beautiful. I looked at those boxes and thought, I wish I could find something like that... Love that your diy's seem so doable. Thanks as always--you are such a snazzy lady!

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  22. RachaelOctober 9, 2009 at 1:51 PM

    discovered your blog last night via say yes to hoboken--and I am absolutely in love! so many great ideas. thanks for sharing your brilliance--my four-year-old is currently standing at my knee asking if we can make pelmets for her windows like the ones you made for your girls. love the inspiration!!

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  23. Laura@JourneyChicOctober 9, 2009 at 2:24 PM

    So pretty! Love it. You've given me an idea for Christmas present for my mom - she's trying to organize her sewing room.

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  24. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 3:00 PM

    I want to know who would want to pay hundreds of dollars for boxes (really? they're just boxes for crying out loud!) in the first place? I'd smack the first kid who came along and slammed the lid down! Anyway, love your ideas and I've turned several people onto your blog since being introduced to it myself a couple of weeks ago.

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  25. deliciously organizedOctober 9, 2009 at 3:36 PM

    This project is on my to do list. I love the way yours turned out. They look great and beautiful in that space!

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  26. Jen @ RamblingRenovatorsOctober 9, 2009 at 3:39 PM

    Love this idea! You are so creative. I think I'll have to steal this idea and make some boxes for my crafting supplies.

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  27. tracieOctober 9, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    these are great! very clever. i love the labels you made for the label holders - what font is that?

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  28. KarenOctober 9, 2009 at 4:15 PM

    Snappy! Definitely going to try it myself when the home renovations taper off. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  29. Re:Fresh Design StudioOctober 9, 2009 at 4:31 PM

    Such a great idea! I never would have thought that those IKEA boxes would be able to stand up to paint, but really, what can't you paint these days?!

    They look great in your office! :)

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  30. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 5:00 PM

    Would you please share what color paint you used. Awesome job!

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  31. pve designOctober 9, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    I love them, and I think I would love a set in a pretty color.....add this to my project list!
    pve

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  32. AverillOctober 9, 2009 at 7:42 PM

    I bought several of these IKEA boxes intending to mod podge them with some great gift wrap I have, but still haven't gotten around to it. That said, I think I like your idea better!

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  33. DANDELION DAYDREAMEROctober 9, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    love your style! love your blog! going on my fave reading list on my new blog ;)

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  34. DebiOctober 9, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    These are great... you are so resourceful and creative!

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  35. Pat B.October 10, 2009 at 12:32 AM

    You are a*maz*ing!!! Wow!!!!
    Could you answer a few questions for me, please?
    1. What are the boxes made of?
    2. What are the paint color names and brands that you used?
    3. What is that fabulous font you used & where did you get it?
    4. Did the label holders come on the boxes and if not where did they come from and how did you attach them?
    Can you tell that I absolutely adore this project & want to copy it exactly?

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  36. Pat B.October 10, 2009 at 12:34 AM

    I forgot to add that I'm starting on your pelmet project tomorrow!!!

    Thanks again, so much, for all of the great ideas and for the BEST blog out there!

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  37. fric and fracOctober 10, 2009 at 2:32 AM

    I am a lacquer addict! Love these! Last year I got several sets of red and navy lacquer boxes from Crate and Barrel on sale after Christmas. Maybe I will try making these!

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  38. Anne MarieOctober 10, 2009 at 8:44 AM

    also an inspiration you are

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  39. Jenny at LGNOctober 10, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    Hi guys!

    Thanks for all the kind comments here!

    The IKEA boxes are all made out of unfinished wood. I didn't see a link to them on the website, but I saw the boxes last time I was in IKEA.

    They came with the metal label holders. I had to paint around them since I couldn't get them off the boxes!

    The font I used for the label is called Ecolier. It's a favorite for sure. I think I got it at dafont or one of those other free font sites.

    I wish I knew the exact paint color I used for the boxes, but the details are unfortunately a little fuzzy since I did this project over a year ago. I know I used acrylic craft paint and I think the name might have been 'Caribbean' something or another. And I think I cut it 50% with white craft paint.

    Hope that helps!!

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  40. ThomasOctober 10, 2009 at 7:09 PM

    LOVE the boxes. Great idea.

    I found a set of orange lacquer boxes for $60 and I am still sick that I spent that much. LOL.

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  41. KristyOctober 10, 2009 at 7:51 PM

    Stunning ... I can't wait to try this project.

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  42. Brooke @ Blueprint BlissOctober 10, 2009 at 8:47 PM

    They look great. Another item to add to my DIY list.

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  43. Petit ElefantOctober 11, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    Oh those are HEAVEN. Especially that they were affordable; that's a project I can get behind.

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  44. NoriOctober 11, 2009 at 11:41 PM

    Ooooo!! Those are YUMMY!! I'm storing that in my little brain to do at some point.

    Thanks for sharing!!

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  45. MonikaOctober 12, 2009 at 7:46 AM

    These look so exppensive! A nice idea again... I must go to Ikea!!

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  46. Sa-Sea October 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM

    I JUST went to ikea this weekend....now I have to go back to buy those!!!!!!!! LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!

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  47. AndreaOctober 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    Oh, I like them! I love the labels too.

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  48. Velvet and LinenOctober 12, 2009 at 11:05 PM

    They look fabulous to me! Great job.

    xo
    Brooke

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  49. Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your LifeOctober 13, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    You did an AWESOME job! Love them!

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  50. Naomi AliceOctober 13, 2009 at 11:54 PM

    I love your work! :)
    thank u!

    I had to post it on my blog:
    www.naomialice.blogspot.com

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  51. LaurenOctober 14, 2009 at 12:17 PM

    love them - just beautiful!!! i have some painted show boxes you're making me want to lacquer!!!

    that last photo looks straight out of a magazine!!!

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  52. Feather GoldOctober 15, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    So pretty, you did a fab job on those boxes!

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  53. Krystle@CraftyHabitOctober 15, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    These look great. Love the combination of the blue and black!

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  54. lowren77October 15, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    I love these! (Oh, and I am so inspired by the ottoman you made...Beautiful!) I'm curious: how do you make your labels on your boxes? Did you hand-write them yourself? I have terrible handwriting and all my labels look bad.

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  55. CashmereLibrarianOctober 22, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    These turned out beautifully! My husband did something similar with wooden trays. We did the hermes orange version first and then, later, a Tiffany-blue tray.
    http://chezlavie.blogspot.com/2009/03/crafts.html

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  56. Chantal {luxxury livving}March 4, 2010 at 11:59 PM

    Nice job, I'm looking for the same thing and now I might just tackle this project myself!

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)